Roan gave one quick nod and turned and left. Lexa would not see him again for many years. Costia had been listening from the next room. She came out and joined Lexa, throwing an arm around her. "You did the right thing. Not killing him," she said. "I hope that's true," Lexa said. She was so tired of Azgeda. "Why must Nia be so stubborn? I should destroy them all!" "Maybe that's what she deserves, but it's not what her people deserve. You know that, Lexa. No matter what, you have to let Azgeda into your coalition. You have to find a way. Otherwise, all of this is for naught and the fighting will just continue," Costia said. "Promise me you'll use your head on this one and not your sword, ok?" "I will do my best," Lexa conceded with a smile. "Let's just go to bed. I'm ready for this day to be over." She began to blow all of the candles out in her room. There were so many of them. "I've been meaning to ask you," Costia said, "why so many candles?" Lexa sighed. "It may be silly, but they are all reminders. For each triumph, each regret, each mistake, each person I love, each person I lose, I light a new candle. They tell my story. I know what each one means." "I think that's beautiful," Costia said, as she drifted off to sleep. Lexa smiled sadly and let sleep take her, as well.